TELEGRAPHIC.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XXII, Issue 35, 11 March 1902, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC.

THE ANGLO-BOER WAR. Capture of Donop’s Convoy. London, March 5 ‘ Standard ’ states that, believing it was quite safe, part of escort of Colonel Vondonop’s convoy, including detachment of Paget’s Horse, was allowed to ride to Klerksdorp on previous night. Covered by dark, wet night, De la Rey placed 1300 between the camp and Klerksdorp, concealing 500 in thick scrub for a few hundred yards round the road leading to the spruit. When vanguard was assailed at daybreak the guns instantly raked the scrub with shrapnel, Maxims and Mounted Infantry firing steadily, compelling Boers to retreat after a half-hour’s engagement. Waggons had hardly resumed march when second onslaught was delivered with extreme dash and courage, enemy riding to within hundred yards, firing from the saddle, and causing a few mules to bolt and overturn teams. After second repulse there was a brief lull. Boers- then recklessly galloped to flanks of column, overwhelming them by sheer weight of numbers. Vondonop’s attempt to pack the waggons across the road, when the final attempt of attack was made, failed, owing to native drivers bolting, and mules stampeding. Guns from higher ground were shelling vigorously until the Boers, charging with tremendous impetus, captured them. A few minutes of confused fighting ensued, then all was over. Northumberland Fusiliers were in extreme rear of column. When their ammunition was exhausted, they fixed bayonets and charged, but were eventually overpowered. De la Rey freely sjamboked footers, but when he had gone the “ead and wounded prisonei’s -wei'festripped. A few waggons and one Maxim reached Klerksdorp. De la Rey burned most of the waggons, and then, dividing his force into 3 bodies, moved North. Thirty Boers were killed, and 28 wounded. PRO-BOERS ANSWERED. < In the Commons, HumphriesOwen, member for Montgomeryshire, moved resolution condemning Government’s delay in improving condition of the concentration camps. Chamberlain, in brilliant speech in defence, condemned grave and wicked exaggerations of pro-Boers. He eulogised the ceaseless labor, sacrifices, and devotion of* the administrators of the camps, maintaining that 150,000 persons cost £lBO,OOO a month. Mortality in camps among children under 12 years had fallen to 78 per 1000. Motion negatived by 232 votes to THE BRITISH ARMY. INCREASE OF PAY. In the Commons, Brodrick said in future a soldier would deal' a shilling a day if at the end of 2 years he elected to remain with the colours. After 6 years more service, and 4 years in tlie Reserves, he would receive one and sixpence. It was hoped thus to attract 50,000 recruits a year. If half were engaged for 8 years army would be kept full. Reserve of 150,000 to 175,000 could be established. Extra cost of British service would be £1,480,000, and in India £786,000. Guns bought in Germany showed immense impro vement over British guns in rapidity of fire and the distance covered. It was hoped Colonial statesmen would be willing to undertake responsibilities, closely linking different parts of the Empire; rendering whole forces of Empire available in a war involving interests of the whole Empire. With regard to remount question, he said it would have been .wonderful if there had been no mistakes, considering gigantic remount transactions. It was hoped to establish some connection with Colonies for specially breeding army horses.

LEADERS CONFERRING. . , London, March 6 . Steyn and De Wet are in Utrecht district, S.E. Transvaal, conferring with Botha. A MINOR CAPTURE. A field cornet and 12 others have been captured in Orange Colony. BOER PEACE ENVOYS. Roosevelt treated'Wessels and Wolmarans as private citizens, and declared that the United States could not and would not interfere. NINTH N.Z. CONTINGENT WELLINGTON, March 7 Col. Porter is to be given command of the 9th Contingent on its arrival in South Africa. MISCELLANEOUS NEWS Lieut.-General Knox has succeeded Tucker in command of the Bloemfontein district. The War Office announces that Private Diteley, of 7th New Zealand Contingent, was not killed at Bothasberg, as first reported, but dangerously wounded.